I feel liberated after interacting with women fighters: Anusha

Earlier this year, MTV India launched a unique music travel show 'Angels of Rock’. With 35 members all women-crew, the 25-day road trip (from Mumbai to Gujarat to Punjab), had singers Anusha Mani, Shalmali Kholgade, Jasmine Sandlas and Akasa Singh on board.

It was aimed at women empowerment and celebrating womanhood in all its glory whilst introducing women achievers.

Sharing her experience on the trip, Anusha says, “It gave me a great opportunity try something new - pen and compose our own songs. We never get to do as a playback singer.

I also got the opportunity to explore the culture and real world from the grass root level travelling by road. The Bollywood singer states that the trip was an eye-opener.

She describes, “We interacted with women fighters and achievers from different walks of life - sarpanch, fire-fighters, BSF (at Wagah border), Hockey team, etc.

We did around 10 episodes by listening to their stories of self-belief. Each episode, which will cover one amazing story of every woman who has done some great work, will also capture the spirit with delightful original renditions.

We wrote, composed and crooned songs (based on the stories heard). The stories were heart-touching yet inspiring. I realised there’s so much you can do and make a big difference with what little you have. Even women in villages are also making a career for themselves and they are lot more empowered.”

Anusha feels there’s a sea change in her thought process. “When I signed the show I was apprehensive because I felt like it’s not going to work, I won’t be able to ride a bullet and not confident of making my own music. But now I feel more humble and learnt to be grateful for what has been given to me in life.

In our daily life we complain a lot about life, the more comfortable we get, the more we complain. But people in villages walk with head high in spite of hardships. So I felt like I have opened up as a person and feel a lot more confident as an artiste. It was the most liberating feeling.”

Ask her how was the riding-a-bullet expedition? “Of-course, it was a bit difficult initially but it’s all about overcoming your fears and believing in yourself.

At one point, we were looking forward to it and couldn’t wait to ride it. Riding a bullet and seeing the changing countryside scenic landscapes was a fantastic experience,” she recounts.

By: Sashidhar Adivi